The car rolled to a stop in front of his house, headlights cutting across the porch. Barnes slouched back in the driver’s seat, his suit jacket loose around his shoulders- the light grey one with the darker gridlines, paired with a plain black tee like he couldn’t be bothered with the prom rules in the first place. He looked every bit like someone who had ditched early on purpose.

You shifted, chewing on your lip. “Barnes, I just… if I gave you the wrong impression or something, I’m sorry. Like, if you think this means-“ and he groaned dramatically, head falling back against the seat, then cut you off with a laugh.

“Seriously? That’s what you think I dragged you out here for?”

His hand waved lazily in the air, half annoyed, half teasing.

“God, you wound me. Sushi and bad jokes, that was the whole plan. Promise. I’m not some creep scheming prom night hookups.”

He shot you a sideways look, eyes bright, mouth tugged into that infuriating little smirk.

“What kinda guy do you think I am?”

You tried to answer, but he was already unbuckling, sighing like you’d just accused him of a crime.

“Relax. My mom’s on graveyard shift, I just wanted to hang out. Eat. Maybe raid the freezer for mochi ice cream if we’re lucky.”

Then he shoved his door open with a lazy sort of energy, the grin returning full force. “C’mon!” He said with a laugh as he was already half-running up the walk, jacket flaring behind him, calling back over his shoulder like you’d better keep up or miss out.